What’s an Appropriate Waist Reduction For Me?

The right waist reduction for you depends on several factors, including how compressible you are, what you’ll be using the corset for, and whether you like to wear corsets laced closed or with a gap.

The calculator below is NOT perfect, but is meant to be a starting point can help guide you towards an appropriate waist reduction for your first corset.

If you’re specifically looking to figure out which corset in our shop will fit your measurements, we have a free mini-consultation service – just fill out the contact form on this page and Lucy will personally respond with her recommendations (usually within 36 hours).

Try the calculator and let us know if it worked for you in a comment below!

Troubleshooting:

Did the calculator give you a really weird size? See the suggestions below:

My size seems way too small!

The most common reason for this is because you chose “intend to lose weight” and also “I prefer a lacing gap”. The calculator sizes you down if you’re actively losing weight (so you don’t “shrink out” of your corset too quickly), but also sizes you down if you ask for a gap – meaning it’s now about 4 inches smaller than what you would wear currently.

If you’re losing weight, your smaller corset will give you a gap anyway – so don’t ask for a lacing gap in the back!

My size is the same or bigger than my natural waist!

The most common reason for this is because you’re petite and firm, on a weight-gain trend, and you just want a corset for fun casual wear. Choose a lacing gap in the back which will size you down, or place your weight as steady for the time being.

It gave me an “odd” size corset! Should I size up or down?

There’s an extra question below your corset size that corrects for that! Scroll up and choose your experience level, and it will give you an “even” size corset!

Thanks for trying the sizing calculator! Did it work for you? Leave a comment below!

48 comments on “What’s an Appropriate Waist Reduction For Me?”

Hello Lucy! I really can’t tell you how grateful I am for all of the incredibly helpful content you’ve created. I’m dipping my toes into the world of corsets for the first time so I was trying the calculator to gauge what size I should go for in a corset – I have a natural waist of 30″ and the calculator suggests I go for 24″. I have pretty limited experience with waist training so far, would I be pushing it to start with a corset of that size? oAo Excited and nervous lol

Hi Heather, if 24″ sounds like too much of a reduction for you, then you can absolutely start with size 26″ instead if you want! A size 26″ corset would probably eventually lace closed in the back, while a size 24″ could be worn with a slight lacing gap (of course, it depends on the curviness of the corset and how the ribs/ hips fit on you!)

Hi Lucy! I contacted you via your YouTube video on “Corsetry and Skeletal Deformities” and explained how after an auto accident in which my Thorasic spine suffered compression fractures at T5-7 and I wanted to start wearing a corset but was told by some nurses I worked with that corsets cause more harm than good. You told me that was not true and told me to consult with my dr about wearing a corset. I did that today. He has no problem and said it would benefit me. I also told you because of the location of the fractures how wearing a bra is very uncomfortable.
You told me if I got my doctors okay you would help me. O…K…HELP. I have (maybe) some experience in wearing a corset, sort of. I have worn a spandex bone in (plastic i’m sure) type of undergarment that goes from my upper back down to my hips. It is underbust and closes with only hooks and eyes in the front.
If you could please email me with your recommendations I would greatly appreciate it. I have never worn a standard corset like you and consider myself a complete novice. I am faithful follower of your videos and have even used your sizing calculator. I trust you to get me started. I have also watched your complete “Seasoning” series. Books, phone, email, IM, I just need your help in choosing and getting started.
Thank you 😊

Hi Deborah, thanks so much for getting back to me. I’m glad that your doctor has given you the green light! If you’d like a personal size recommendation from me, here’s my measuring tutorial and contact form, it’s completely confidential and I usually get back with my suggestions within a day. Talk to you soon!

Hi Pamela, where did you purchase your corset from and which style did you choose? (I don’t have any record of your name or email address in my past shop orders so I’m guessing you went with a different brand. This is fine, it’s just more difficult to help you.) Finding your most appropriate starting waist reduction is just the first step; did you also remember to check whether the ribs and hips of the corset you purchased were compatible with your own?

I have both moderate scoliosis and kyphosis (hunchback) and I think had both from adolescence… I was also very heavy most of my life so it went undiscovered until late into adulthood. Now in my early 60’s I finally decided i wanted to do all I can to look more normal and maybe even a little attractive, so lost a lot of weight with more to go.

I was wondering if corset be might able to help me in a couple of ways…

Because of the scoliosis (I do not have osteoporosis) the gap between the the top of my pelvis and my ribcage on the side is very small.. I can only get one finger in (though it can go quite deep). I also have very big rib cage and not much in the way of hips, so really no real figure.

i really want to be able to do significant (but not extreme) waist training to give me more of a figure even when not wearing it, and maybe have the corset help me straighten up a little…

I spoke to an orthopedist about corsets and waist training, and although they don’t recommend using them (worried about muscle atrophy) he said I could do use one as long as I exercised enough without one. But I don’t know how much he knows about corsetry.

Given my physical issues (particularly the lack of space between pelvis and rib cage) I don’t know if significant waist training would be possible for me, even if a corset can deal with the back issues..

Hi Karen, I do know of people with scoliosis who have been able to train their waists effectively, even with the small gap between their ribcage and pelvis – but because everyone’s curve is a little bit different, it wouldn’t be fair to make a guarantee. Some people achieve a more narrow look to their waist by training the ribcage itself to taper inwards at the bottom, but this requires a lot of dedication!
The cost varies quite a bit based on which person you’re interested in working with. Some of the corset makers have a simple underbust design that starts around $400 while others are well over $1000. And asymmetric designs usually have an added cost. But compared to the hot bulky back braces (which are often around $3000+), the corsets can work out to be a more lightweight AND more budget-friendly option if you’re not covered under any insurance.

Glad to hear waist training might be possible despite my issues… for me I think it would have to train my ribcage so it will be a slow process.

The closest “medical” corset maker to me on your map is in Toronto. That is about an 11 hour drive for me (I would want in-person measurements!) … Doable though I guess these days I would need a passport!

You have given all the information I need to get started… Now i just need to finish losing the weight!

Is there such a thing as a corset that is made to help support a heavy bust? I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder that is irritated by bra straps, but I’m a 34G, so regular strapless bras don’t support. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am now 62 years old and have gained 20 or more lbs and it is all in my stomach and back. when I was 40 I had liposuction and the Dr. told me if I gained weight it wouldnt’t come back in my stomach but it did :(. I’m in a size 10 jeans and if I lose weight it will be all in my legs which I don’t need to lose. breast size is 36d which is all fat. I would like to get my waist down for the summer…please help me!!!!

I have worn cheap off the shelf corsets before. I have back issues and would like a corset/s for both back pain and style. It saif a size 32 , i wonder . I think it would be petfect as long as bust, back and hip spring fits well. Thank you , this worked well i know i have srveral chrap corsets and this is the size it says for me but not overbust otr. Too small 🤨

This works great! Thanks for the work Lucy! I was recommended a 36 if I wanted a gap, or a 38 if I wanted no gap, which is spot on with most of what I have. I do have ones as small as 32, but I can only wear them a short time or with a large gap (like 5 inches yikes), so I’ve shelved them for now. I do still watch the underbust and hip measurements since my pear shape means either lacing with a /\ shape or skipping most OTR/sample sizes.

22 inch waist to an 18 inch that seems about right, i’d love to find a more dramatic look as my ribs are awfully close to my hip bones, leaving little space for the desired curved look. the corset i currently have is an 18, i havent laced it closed yet, so i’ll keep working on that and hopefully i’ll get my desired results! Thank you Lucy!

Awesome! This seems accurate for a recommended waist size. I typically wear a 30 to 34 inch corset. Anything less than 32 inches currently has to be worn with a gap, and it recommended a 32 inch corset.

That said, I find that the limiting factor for me is finding corsets that will fit my smaller hips and larger rib spring. I didn’t understand how critical the hip spring and rib spring were when I first started with corsets. Hopefully the folks who find you will be better informed than I was! :-P

I agree, I have a small rib spring, but massive hip spring. The corset calculator where you can fill in your sizes was immensely helpful for me to find the right fitting corsets and to finally made me understand my shape.

I have a few months experience tightlacing and the calculator worked perfectly for me. I already know I can comfortably cinch to 26 for extended periods of time which was the recommended size in the calculator before I stated I prefer a small gap. The most I can reduce is to 25″ for a few hours at a time so the calculator’s readjusted measurement of 24″ is exactly right for me! Thanks for making this calculator! It will be very helpful for a lot of people.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website (as well as the contents in Lucy Corsetry's Youtube videos, and on other social media) are based upon the research, opinions and personal experience of Lucy Corsetry and others within the corset community. Please note that the content on this site is provided for information and sometimes entertainment purposes, and it is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified medical physician. The information herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any ailment. Lucy Corsetry strongly recommends that you consult with your trusted healthcare professional(s) before purchasing or using a corset for any reason, and ensure that your health and well-being is monitored regularly. Although some individuals may use corsets for therapeutic or corrective purposes, you should ensure that you yourself are in good physical condition before pursuing corset wear, and also understand that any form of body modification is not without risks. If you purchase or wear a corset for any reason, whether aesthetic, therapeutic or otherwise, you agree that you do so at your own risk, i.e. you agree that you are voluntarily participating in such activities, you assume all risk of injury to yourself, and you agree to release and discharge Lucy Corsetry from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of Lucy Corsetry's negligence.

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